Why Tea Costs More—

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 42, 18 August 1915, Page 10

Why Tea Costs More —

The Second Article of a series that Every Housewife Should Read. It is indeed hard for the New Zealand housewife to realise the remarkable changes that have occurred in the tea trade within the last eight months — changes which have resulted in greatly increased prices. As was shown in the first article of this series, tea is in great demand as the beverage of the 25 million men who are under arms to-day, due to the fact that it is the most stimulating and invigorating drink — easily transported and easily handled. But there is another element which exerts almost as great an influence in the steadily rising cost of tea. This factor-is Russia, with its enormous population of over 160 millions, which, at the stroke of a pen— in almost a single night — has been turned into nation * of tea drinkers. ' ■ What this means is readily seen one considers that until September last the Russian people "Consumed less than 1 lb. of tea per head per annum ; whereas in our own Maoriland the average is over 7ilbs, of tea per head per • annum. ;;' Moreover, the money previously spent on other beverages by Russia ,is now available for tea. Hence, J at the tea auctions, enormous quan- * titles have been bought by Russian representatives, who readily pay ■ increasing prices to secure what • they want. As a result, tea to-day costs the blender in New Zealand an aver- ■ age of 2|d. to 3d. per lb. more -' than eight months ago, and, unless he is to face an enormous loss, he has only two alternatives —to 1( reduce his quality or increase his "prices. ■# Either course is reasonable, and '.there is no escape — unless, before -"the war, he was charging an price for inferior tea If t so, he is still able to sell the same grade at the old figure and probably still make a good profit- , '/Amber Tips" policy has always been to give the best value the world can produce at the most reasonable prices. It has been decided to continue this policy, therefore the price has been slightly increased — by 2d. per lb. ! Although advised by many to reduce costs' by the admixture of harsher, inferior and less healthful teas, . the proprietors ar» determined to , maintain _ that standard of quality and - value which has made "Amber Tips" the most widely sold blend in the Dominion to-day— the most largely sold blend of any country in the world in proportion - to population. ; , Thus, if the name "Amber Tip»" is on jthe packet, you know that it contains 'the finest, purest and best tea that can ,be produced for the money— that it .contains a tea which is so pure and healthful that it can be u»ed by children, and by those with the weakest digestion, without harm. <g it is also well to remember that "Amber Tips" gives more cups of delicious, fragrant tea of delightful flavour. .Thus it still costs you less than others — it is still the cheapest tea in the Dominion, even though the prices hare been slightly increased. We believe that the housewrres of New Zealand would rather secure the finest value that can be given— even at a slightly increased price— than that quality and values should be cheapened. It i» now for yon to show whether you approve of this decision or not.